Last Updated on: 27th June 2023, 09:42 am
The size of parrots is largely species-specific. The lightest parrot is the tiny buff-faced pygmy parrot, which weighs 0.03 lbs. In contrast, the Kākāpō is the heaviest parrot, weighing 3.3-6 lbs.
Parrots can be lighter or heavier based on their genetics, gender, diet, exercise, and living conditions. The leanest birds are allowed out of their cages in a parrot-safe room and given the chance to fly.
If you want to know what a parrot weighs to determine if it’s too light or heavy, we’ve included a table of the average weights of pet parrots to provide a baseline.
Parrot Weight Chart in Pounds
Captive parrots are larger than wild parrots because they always have access to food. Pet birds are also confined to their cages, while wild parrots fly for miles to survive.
A parrot’s overweight if it weighs 15% more than the average for the species. You should regularly weigh parrots to ensure they’re not getting too heavy.
The weights (in pounds) of the most popular parrot species are as follows:
African Grey Weights
| Parrot Species | Average Weight (lbs) |
| Congo African Grey | 0.84 to 1.22 lbs |
| Timneh African Grey | 0.66 to 0.79 lbs |
The average weight of an African grey parrot is between 0.69 and 1.19 lbs. However, there are two types of African greys: the Congo and Timneh.
The Timneh is the lighter bird, weighing between 0.66 and 0.79 lbs. The Congo is slightly heavier, weighing between 0.84 and 1.22 lbs.
Congo and timneh African grey parrots are distinguished by their bright red tails and grey plumage.
Parakeet Weights
| Parrot Species | Average Weight (lbs) |
| Alexandrine Parakeet | 0.55 lbs |
| Budgerigar Parakeet | 0.05 to 0.13 lbs |
| Crimson Rosella Parakeet | 0.32 lbs |
| Derbyan Parakeet | 0.71 lbs |
| Golden-Mantled Rosella Parakeet | 0.22 lbs |
| Grey-Cheeked Parakeet | 0.10 to 0.13 lbs |
| Indian Ringneck Parrakeet | 0.25 lbs |
| Plum-Headed Parakeet | 0.20 lbs |
| Quaker or Monk Parakeet | 0.20 to 0.33 lbs |
| Red-Breasted Parakeet | 0.24 to 0.30 lbs |
| Red-Fronted Kakariki Parrakeet | 0.22 lbs |
| Red-Rumped Parakeet | 0.13 lbs |
| White-Winged Canary Parakeet | 0.15 lbs |
Average Weight of A Quaker Parrot
Also known as the monk parakeet, the weight of Quaker parrots is between 0.20 to 0.33 lbs. Once fully grown, they reach an average length of 11-12 inches.
Quaker parrots require an enclosure that measures at least 24″ x 30″ x 24″ to move around comfortably. Choose one with bars that are spaced at least 1/2″ to 5/8″ to prevent escape.
Quaker parrots bob their heads and shake, but this behavior is normal and unrelated to their weight.
How Big Is An Alexandrine Parrot?
The average weight of the Alexandrine parrot is 0.55 lbs. They also measure 22-24 inches from head to tail, making them one of the largest parakeet species.
There are different subspecies of Alexandrine parrots, meaning their weights vary.
Lorrikeet Weights
| Parrot Species | Average Weight (lbs) |
| Blue Streaked Lorrie | 0.35 lbs |
| Chattering Lorrie | 0.44 lbs |
| Dusky Lorrie | 0.34 lbs |
| Rainbow Lorrie | 0.29 lbs |
| Red Lorrie | 0.37 lbs |
Caique Weights
| Parrot Species | Average Weight (lbs) |
| Black-Headed Caique | 0.32 to 0.37 lbs |
| White-Bellied Caique | 0.36 lbs |
Lovebird Weights
| Parrot Species | Average Weight (lbs) |
| Fisher’s Lovebird | 0.11 lbs |
| Masked Lovebird | 0.11 lbs |
| Peach-Faced Lovebird | 0.10 to 0.15 lbs |
Cockatoo Weights
| Parrot Species | Average Weight (lbs) |
| Citron-Crested Cockatoo | 0.66 to 1.10 lbs |
| Red-Vented Cockatoo | 0.64 lbs |
| Sulphur-crested Cockatoo | 1.72 lbs |
| Yellow-Crested Cockatoo | 0.75 lbs |
| Umbrella Cockatoo | 1.10 to 1.39 lbs |
Macaw Weights
| Parrot Species | Average Weight (lbs) |
| Blue-And-Yellow Macaw | 2.20 lbs |
| Hyacinth Macaw | 2.7 to 3.7 lbs |
| Military Macaw | 1.98 to 2.43 lbs |
| Red-And-Green Macaw | 0.50 lbs |
| Scarlet Macaw | 2.20 lbs |
How Much Does A Scarlet Macaw Parrot Weigh?
Scarlet macaws are among the world’s largest parrot species, weighing 2.20 lbs. Also, from the beak to the tail, they can reach 32 to 33 inches, making them very long.
Wild scarlet macaws eat nuts, leaves, berries, and seeds in their natural rainforest habitat. Interestingly, they can also eat plants and berries that are toxic to other birds.
It’s thought that this is because they ingest clay from salt licks found in Peru, which neutralizes the poisons before the body absorbs them.
Other Parrot Species
| Parrot Species | Average Weight (lbs) |
| African Ringneck Parrot | 0.23 lbs |
| Buff-Faced Pygmy Parrot | 0.03 lbs |
| Cockatiel | 0.2 lbs |
| Eclectus Parrot | 0.83 to 1.21 lbs |
| Kākāpō Parrot | 2 to 9 lbs |
| Kea Parrot | 2.20 lbs |
| Pacific Parrotlet | 0.07 lbs |
| Red-Bellied Parrot | 0.28 lbs |
| Senegal Parrot | 0.24 to 0.29 lbs |
| St. Vincent Amazon | 1.28 to 1.54 lbs |
| Zebra Finch | 0.02 to 0.04 lbs |
How Much Do Senegal Parrots Weigh?
Senegal parrots are small birds that weigh between 0.24 and 0.29 lbs and reach just 9 inches long.
They can live comfortably in enclosures measuring 20″ x 20″ x 28″. Bar spacing should be 3/4 inches apart to prevent them from slipping through the gaps or getting their heads stuck.
Senegal parrots are prone to bornavirus. This is passed on by other birds, causing poor digestion and weight loss. This leaves them vulnerable to nutritional deficiencies.
How Big Does An Eclectus Parrot Get?
Eclectus parrots weigh between 0.83 and 1.21 lbs and reach 12 to 14 inches long.
Eclectus parrots have a longer digestive tract than other birds, so they need a high-fiber, low-fat diet with the necessary vitamins and minerals.
Also, Eclectus parrots need exercise to prevent them from becoming overweight. They’re prone to weight-related health conditions, like fatty liver disease and lipomas.
What Is The World’s Lightest Parrot?
The world’s smallest parrot is the buff-faced pygmy parrot. It’s only 3 inches long, almost half the parakeet’s average size. To put this into context, this isn’t much bigger than an adult human’s thumb.
As an adult, the buff-faced pygmy parrot weighs only 0.03 lbs (12 grams), making it very light.
The buff-faced pygmy parrot is mostly bright green and lives in subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests in New England and New Guinea.
Besides the buff-faced pygmy parrot, the world’s smallest parrots include the following:
- Asian hanging parrot (0.06 lbs).
- Pacific parrotlet (0.07 lbs).
- Fig parrot (0.09 lbs).
- Australian budgerigar (0.06 to 0.08 lbs).
- African lovebird (0.09 to 0.13 lbs).
There’s an important difference between small and underweight.
What Is The Largest And Heaviest Parrot?
The world’s heaviest parrot is the Kākāpō, weighing 3.3-6 lbs. Male birds are heavier than females.
According to Cambridge University Press, Kākāpōs (owl parrots) are threatened with extinction as their numbers have declined due to predation and fungal infections.
Kākāpōs can’t fly due to their weight and soft feathers, which aren’t stiff or strong enough for flight. Instead, they hop along the floor, using their wings for balance, making them vulnerable to predators.
The hyacinth macaw is the world’s biggest flying parrot but not the heaviest. As adults, they reach 2.7 to 3.7 lbs. They also measure up to 40 inches from head to tail, with a wingspan of 4 feet.
Due to their large size and weight, hyacinth macaws are hunted by indigenous tribesmen for meat.
